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           The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today denounced the killing of Abdi Jaylani Malaq, a renowned satirist and TV producer who was assassinated while returning to his Mogadishu home around 7 p.m., 31 July. 

           “News of the murder of Abdi Malaq is disquieting and reflects the dangerous conditions faced by many Somali reporters,” said the Director-General. “Mr. Malaq’s death deprives his audience of a voice that exposed the injustices they face. Every attempt must be made to put an end to this environment of impunity, so that tragedies like this are never repeated.”

            Malaq, a producer at Universal TV who used the pseudonym ‘Marshale,’ was known for his sharp wit, which he often employed to criticize armed groups  for their use of child soldiers. According to Reporters Without Borders, the method of attack bears the mark of local armed militants. 

Two weeks before the assassination of Abdi Malaq, one of his colleagues at Universal TV- Abdulkadir Omar Abdulle - narrowly survived a similar attack, sustaining gunshot wounds at close range. 

            Since January, seven media professionals have been killed in Somalia, which remains one of the most dangerous countries for journalists. 

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Media contact

Guy Berger, 

Director, Division of Freedom of Expression and Media Development

Tel: +33 (0)1 45 68 42 03; g.berger@unesco.org